I Am Me (Book Two): Fate Is Wrong

Chapter 8: Honey and Misery on the Side

Eduardo's POV

I'm driving down the road away from the town, heading back to my farm, happy to get out of that crap-hole of a town. Looking to my right briefly, I smile. I got him out. We will be safe. He will be happy, with me. It's what we agreed to. If only he'd smile for me. I'm not surprised that he doesn't......

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Earlier that morning......

I had just woken up and am on my search for breakfast. The place has changed in more ways than the look. Walking inside the diner, I am with little Katie. 

"Welcome sir to the....Uncle Ed?" Yeah, I know I'm not her Uncle by blood, but I spent so much time playing with her when she was a child, she ended up concluding that I was family. Being called an Uncle had warmed my heart, cause I wanted to successfully show my nieces and nephews how much their Uncle adored them. The problem...I am an only child. Therefore, no Uncle Ed.

"Hey Katie", I feign nonchalance, expressing all the emotion in my eyes. Joy and guilt. Disregarding the guilt, possibly to save me of embarrassment, she hugs me as if I would disappear once more. I probably will depending on how things go, but for now, I want to bask in this moment the girl I'm proud to have as my niece.

"Oh my...I just-it's been too long. Give me your number", she says once she breaks from our hug.

"I'm sorry?"

"I don't know when you will be back or if you will be back when you leave, but I'm not losing touch with you again. So, hand it over", she says with a look suggesting not to argue with her. She's just like her father. I gotta say hi to him and the missus as well. With no hesitation, I hand my phone over for her to put her number in. She then uses my phone to call her own, giving her my number to save in her contacts. "There, now you can tell me everything that's been going on with you from wherever it is you do stay."

"You got his fire in you, Katie. And at 16 no less. He's gotta be the proudest papa in town. I know I'm the proudest Uncle."

Her eyes soften at that, but she continues, "Okay, now that pleasantries are over and the plans to catch up are in order..." she raises an eyebrow at me, which causes me to nod in agreement. She then smiles with excitement and finishes her thought, "What would you like to order for today? Just so you know, we got an extra shipment of honey for Ms. Delaney's homemade honey buns. Wink, wink."

"Oh hell yes. I will take some of that, a stack of hot cakes, and a coffee. My good, madam."

"I will be here with your coffee in just a moment. Be back in jiff."

Apparently, Katie spilled the beans on who just came to town because in the few short minutes, the woman herself, Ms. Delaney, and some her friends come out to greet me. Yes, Ms. Delaney works with her friends at her diner. Nice lady. We shifters she slowly, so she has seen it all and barely looks like she has reached her 40's. How old is she? Heh, I ask her that and she will give you a scolding of how rude it is to ask for a ladies age.

As I am eating my breakfast, which nearly takes up my thoughts that I almost miss what I'd to transpire, a group of what I believe are some of my old 'popular girl' classmates, all grown up and still as close as ever. And still as gossip driven as the day they entered the halls on freshmen year. Who is who escapes me in terms of telling them apart, especially with them being much older and possibly a little classier. (And by that, I mean a nice way of saying they added jewelry to what could barely pass as an outfit. I'm no critic, but if I were to swing that way, I'd be incredibly distracted)

"Okay, lovelies. What have you scoped out today? Give us the deets"

"Well, I saw Ms. Delaney get a big truck hall. Of what you may ask....freshly made honey."